7.9.2018Centenary - Ta' Qali 07/09/2018European Under-21 Championship Qualifying - Group 6MALTA…0BELGIUM…4(HT 0-2)The Belgians showed their class in Malta, beating the hosts 0-4 on a hot and humid afternoon, continuing their call for an automatic berth at the Under-21 Finals in Italy and San Marino next year.
Back for Malta was midfielder Matthew Guillaumier, who missed the last three U21 qualifiers due to injury. Compared to the last Sweden match in June, Kurt Zammit was also back in he first eleven. The two Birkirkara players replaced Juan Corbolan and Joseph Mbong, who were invited with the national team squad in the Faroe Islands. After a promising start of the hosts in the first three minutes, the visitors took control of the match. The first chance arrived in the fourth minute via Dodi Lukebakio, who’s shot from close-in was saved by Jake Galea low in the right corner. The same Lukebakio continued to give Malta’s rear-guard trouble in the seventh minute, but his angled shot from just inside the box was turned into a corner by Galea. The visitors took the lead in the 11th minute. Landry Dimata’s header from close-in from a Lukebakio corner on the right gave Galea no chance. Six minutes later it was 0-2 via captain Siebe Schrijvers who, again after Lukebakio’s corner from the right, tabbed the ball home. The Belgians completely dominated proceedings and in the 24th minute Samuel Bastien could have given his side a 0-3 lead but somehow his effort, after an excellent attack on the left, missed target. For the remainder of the first half the visitors continued to dictate matters. Belgium continued to dictate play in the second half and in the 58th minute, Lukebakio added a third goal for Belgium, punishing a defensive mistake of the hosts. In the 68th minute a free-kick of Jake Grech sailed over the crossbar. But one minute later it was 0-4. Captain Schrijvers’ inch perfect cross was met by substitute Aaron Iseka who beat goalkeeper Galea with an angled shot. An Alexis De Sart scorcher from 30 meters just missed target in the 72nd minute. Eight minutes later a brilliant pass of De Sart reached Isaac Mbenza on the right flank who’s first-timer hit the crossbar. In the 82nd minute a Malta attack ended up in the path of Kyrian Nwoko but his shot was blocked by Nordin Jackers, who also blocked the second attempt of Beerman. In the 88th minute, Dunstan Vella could have saved the honours for Malta but he failed to score eye-to-eye with goalkeeper Jackers. The Malta under-21 team is now playing a friendly match against Georgia next Tuesday evening at the Centenary Stadium, kick-off at 17h. Malta: J.Galea, K.Micallef, J.Borg, D.Vella, K.Shaw, (M.Sansone 66'), K.Zammit, M.Beerman, (D.Agius 82’) M.Guillaumier, (Z.Scerri 59’) J.Grech, K.Nwoko, J.Degabriele. Belgium: N.Jackers, D.Cools, Z.Vanheusden, W.Faes, C.De Norre, J.Vanlerberghe, S.Bastien, (A.De Sart 63’), D.Lukebakio, (A.Saelemaakers 80’), S.Schrijvers, L.Dimata,(A.Iseka 63’), I.Mbenza Referee: Roomer Tarajev (Estonia)Attendance: 205.